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1873-74.] 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


[No. 118. 


REPORT. 



IN THE 


CITY OF PROVIDENCE, 

PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, NOVEMBER 2, 1874 



PROVIDENCE: 

HAMMOND, ANGELE & CO., PRINTERS TO THE CITY. 

1 .8 74 . 








Resolution op the Board op Aldermen, appointing a Special Committee 
of Inquiry, in relation to, Water Works and Sewers. 

Report of the Special Committee of the Board of Aldermen. • 

Report of the Board of Water Commissioners. 


/ 


— 


OF CCW-jK&SS 

ft£CCtVtO 

JUN17 1331 

i r’viC '^ or ooci ,v ’^ 4 ' r ) 


7 









4 



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WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


3 


s$\ • 

N. 

SV. 


RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN 

[Passed October 12, 1874] 


Resolved, That Aldermen Fisher, Spicer and Clarke, he 
and they are hereby appointed a committee to inquire into 
and report to this board, as soon as practicable, upon the fol¬ 
lowing matters, connected with the introduction of water into 
this city, and the construction of sewers, to wit: 

The actual cost of the water works, and their capacity at 
date of last quarterly report, as compared with the original 
estimates and plans,—meaning that the whole amount of ex¬ 
penditures, according to said quarterly report, shall be so clas¬ 
sified as to give the exact cost of each division of the works, 
including in such classification the cost of lands and water 
privileges, and separating maintenance from construction : the 
original estimates for the work to be classified in the same 
manner, so that a comparison may be made between them. 

The revenue, thus far, from water, as compared with the 
revenue from same number of miles of pipe in other cities and 
at the same stage of construction. 

The probable length of time that will elapse before it will 
be necessary to erect a second engine at Pettaconset pump¬ 
ing station. 

The cost of the stand pipe to be erected at the Pettaconset 
engine-house in connection with the Cornish engine now un¬ 
der contract; and whether it will also serve for any additional 
engines that may be erected there. 





4 


C11Y DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


The cost of the stand pipe at the Hope engine-house, if one 
has been erected there, or, if not, whether one will be required 
for the second engine recently contracted for, and if so, its 
probable cost. 

What amount has been paid for marble used in construction, 
and where located, and what sums have been expended for 
foreign granite, and where it was obtained. 

The number of the employes in the engineering depart¬ 
ment, and the capacities in which they severally act, with the 
rate of yearly compensation of each. 

The accessibility of all contracts and records in the office of 
the board of water commissioners, to any citizen who may 
desire to examine them. 

The comparative merits and cost of Scotch and other pipes, 
and the proportion of our sewers constructed of pipes of Scotch 
manufacture. 

The depths and sizes of o.ur sewers, as compared with those 
of the larger cities of this country. 

The depths of our sewer outlets, with reference to the tides • 
and the cases of damage, if any, resulting from the overflow of 
tide water from the sewers into the basements of buildings; 
and, if any, the cause of such damage and the proper remedy 
therefor. 

The amount of deposit in the sewers since their acceptance 
by the city, stating particularly the amount in that portion 
of the sewers flowed by tide water. 

The method employed for cleaning the sewers, and to what 
extent such cleaning is necessary. 

The condition and capacity of the stone sewers taken up, 
their total length, with the sizes and kinds of sewers substituted 
therefor. 

Whether any sewers have been constructed which were not 
ordered by the city council, and if so, where located, and the 
reasons for such construction. 

The kind of pipe which parties connecting with sewers aie 
required to use. 



W A TE R W OR KS AND SE WE R 8 . 


0 


I 


REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD 

OF ALDERMEN. 

[Presented November 2, 1874.] 

To the Honorable, the Board of Aldermen of the 

City of Providence: 

The committee appointed October 12th, 1874, to report to 
this board upon various matters connected with the introduc¬ 
tion of water into this city and the construction of sewers, 
respectfully beg leave to present this their report: 

The inquiries under the resolution were so many and includ¬ 
ed, as they did, those most important, bearing upon both the 
introduction of water and the construction of sewers, that the 
committee almost shrank from the duty imposed upon them.* 
But they felt that matters of great importance were involved, 
concerning which the tax payers and citizens generally had a 
right to be informed. 

It is obvious that for the information sought in the resolu¬ 
tion, the committee must depend in a great measure upon the 
records in the office of the water commissioners, and from the 
water commissioners and chief engineer themselves. The 
committee waited upon the water commissioners, and were 
courteously received, and at three long interviews at their 
office, every facility was afforded to throw light upon every 
inquiry in the resolution. The committee were allowed free 
and full access to all the .books of account and records in that 
office, and were aided by Mr. C. D. Sellew, the secretary, in 
the examination. 

At the first meeting of the committee with the water 
commissioners and chief engineer, the resolution under 






6 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118 . 


which the committee were acting, was presented to them, and 
after a very free, full and lengthy interview as to what the 
resolution comprehended, the committee requested them to 
submit a report in writing, at their earliest convenience, touch¬ 
ing all the matters of which we desired information. With 
creditable promptness, they submitted to the committee their 
answers to all the inquiries. We submit herewith their an¬ 
swers as received by the committee, which are full and com¬ 
plete. Most of these answers may receive confirmation from 
their quarterly reports, submitted to the city council at various 
times. 

As to the practicability of some things connected with the 
construction of both the water works and sewers, there may 
be a difference of opinion among practical minds. The facts 
the committee have obtained can be fully substantiated by the 
records in the office of the commissioners, and the works, both 
water and sewer, as they stand partially constructed to-day. 

The committee do not wish to lengthen out their report by 
a repetition of what is in the-report of the water commission¬ 
ers to the committee. But they earnestly ask the board to 
read and examine carefully all the tacts and figures in the re¬ 
port of the commissioners, in order that they may be able to 
form an intelligent opinion concerning matters bearing upon 
the construction of the most important works in which this 
city ever has been or ever will be engaged. It may be well 
for the committee to notice some of the important items con¬ 
tained in the commissioners’ communication. It will be seen 
that the original estimate of the cost of the water works was 
four millions four hundred and seventy-seven thousand thirty- 
five dollars and eight cents ($4,477,035 08), and that the orig¬ 
inal plan has been very much changed, materially enlarged 
and improved. It is expected that it will be completed by the 
next summer, so far as to pass from the hands of the wafer 
commissioners to the city. 

The whole cost of construction to September 1st, 1874, was 
three millions four hundred fifty-seven thousand four hundred 
forty-four dollars and seventy-nine cents ($3,457,444 79), or one 




WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


7 


million nineteen thousand five hui dred and ninety dollars and 
twenty-nine cents ($1,019,590 29) less than the original esti¬ 
mate. This, as will be seen, is after deducting the cost of 
maintenance from Jan. 1, 1872, to September 1, 1874, which 
was eighty-one thousand six hundred fifty dollars and seventy- 
four cents ($81,650 74). 

It will be noticed that the water works were commenced 
May 4, 1870, and that water was introduced December 1, 
1871—one year and seven months. From the latter date a 
revenue commenced to the city at a time when only one mill¬ 
ion four hundred and ninety-four thousand three hundred 
thirteen dollars and ten cents, (#1,494,313 10) had been ex¬ 
pended. The revenue the first year was $41,003 51, or about 
two and three quarters per cent, on the cost to that time. 
The second year, the income was $97,386 09. The third year, 
estimating the last four months at the ratio of the first 
eight months, it was $145,551 68, or total to Dec. 1, 1874, 
$283,941 28, or eight and one-fifth per cent, on the cost to 
Sept. 1, 1874. 

These figures, we think, will be satisfactory to the citizens 
of Providence, and are certainly creditable to the water com¬ 
missioners and their chief engineer, as showing the perfection 
of the work when only partially constructed, and their entire 
willingness that the water should be let on, that the city might 
earlier derive an income therefrom. It is unusual and almost 
entirely without precedent, that works of this kind are opened 
to public use until completed. This certainly showed a confi¬ 
dence in their work, as far as it had gone, and experience has 
since proved the correctness of that confidence. 

The committee have nothing but commendation to offer in 
regard to the manner in which a large portion of the work of 
introducing water into the city has been done. The great care 
which has been taken in regard to the manufacture of the iron 
pipe, so that it should be of uniform quality, thickness and 
durability, has doubtless rendered this portion of the work su¬ 
perior to that of any other city in the United States. And 
when it is remembered that the cost of the iron pipes in which 







8 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


the water is brought from the reservoir and conducted through 
the streets, including the cost of laying them, constitutes fully 
one-half of the whole expense of the water works ; and when 
we reflect that these pipes are all laid several feet under 
ground, and therefore difficult of access and expensive to re¬ 
pair, it will at once be conceded that too much care could 
hardly be given to their proper manufacture, and that no ex¬ 
pense was unnecessary which would insure a perfect and dur¬ 
able pipe. 

In the building of the reservoirs, also, so far as your com¬ 
mittee are able to judge, the work seems to have been sub¬ 
stantially and thoroughly done, and there can scarcely be a 
question as to their durability. 

The water-works for the supply of any city where the ne¬ 
cessity exists of raising water to a certain height and storing 
it for distribution, may be divided into three general divisions. 
First, the reservoirs into which the water is to be raised and 
stored. Second, the system of pipes or conduits through 
which the water is to be distributed for use; and, third, the 
pumping apparatus for forcing the water to the required 
height. The first and second of these general divisions are 
necessarily required to be, and it is doubtless the best economy 
that they should be, of as permanent and durable a character 
as the experience and science of the present day can devise 
and build. In these two divisions, as has already been stated, 
your committee take great pleasure in commending the work 
done as alike creditable to the city and honorable to the com¬ 
missioners and engineer who have planned and executed it. 
In regard to the third division, namely, the pumping system 
for raising and forcing the water from the river into the reser¬ 
voir, your committee gladly and willingly concede that the 
water commissioners and the chief engineer, in providing 
the very costly apparatus which is now in process of erection 
at the pumping station at Pettaconset, have acted with the 
same regard as to what they believe to be for the best interests 
of the city, as in those portions of the work already spoken of; 
yet your committee feel obliged to differ radically with the 



WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


9 


♦ 


commissioners as to the necessity of so large an outlay. 
The cost of the Pettaconset pumping station, now iu process 
of erection for the Cornish engine, including pump,well, foun¬ 
dations, and all essential requiremefits for the same, to Sep¬ 
tember 1st last, as furnished us by the commissioners, was two 
hundred and seventeen thousand seven hundred and forty- 
five dollars, sixty-two cents ($217,745.62); their estimated 
amount to complete same, seventy-seven thousand four hun¬ 
dred and fifty dollars ($77,450) ; Cornish engine, delivered 
and set up, per contract, one hundred and six thousand dol¬ 
lars ($106,000); tools and extra prices for same, $14,000; 
rough pieces for same, to be furnished for same by commis¬ 
sioners, seven thousand six hundred and thirty-seven dollars 
and forty cents ($7,637.40) ; stand-pipe, per contract, to be 
set up by contractor, twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) >* 
amount expended on natural filter . basin, $33,594.50 ; thus 
making the total cost of the pumping apparatus connected 
with and including the Cornish engine, $468,427.62. 

This sum is the amount actually paid or to be paid for this 
purpose, without reckoning anything which would be properly 
chargeable to this department of the works for its proportion 
of salaries, engineering and miscellaneous expenses. If this 
were added, it would make the cost of the pumping depart¬ 
ment of the water works in round numbers, very nearly a half 
million of dollars. This plan also requires for its completion 
an additional Cornish engine, which would add at least one 
hundred thousand dollars more to the cost of this depart¬ 
ment of the service. The Worthington engine, now in ope¬ 
ration at Pettaconset, cost, including all repairs up to Sep¬ 
tember 1st, 1874, $41,452.38. The building in which it is 
placed, cost $9,718.09. This engine takes the water directly 
from the river, and has for three years past, supplied the city 
with all the water it has used. It has not run, on an average, 
six full days in a week, and that the supply of water has 
been abundant, is a fact patent to every citizen. It this en¬ 
gine should be run day and night it would furnish about 


2 




10 


No. 118 . 


CITY DOCUMENT. 

i 

double the quantity of water which is now daily used for all 
purposes, including, of course, the fire supply. 

It would not, however, answer to depend upon one engine 
for continual service, as there must occasionally be stoppages 
for repairs, and breakages are liable to occur. If another 
Worthington engine of the same cost and capacity as the one 
now in use, were placed at the pumping station, the city would 
have, without any doubt whatever, sufficient pumping power 
to supply itself abundantly with all the water needed tor ten 
or fifteen years to come. The simple interest upon the money 
which has been and will be expended upon the completion of 
the pumping station at Pettaconset, including engines, stand- t 
pipe, chimney, and all appurtenances belonging to this depart¬ 
ment of the service, would suffice to build a new Worthington 
engine, of same capacity as the one now in use, once in every 
two years. The city would also have the advantage, by tak¬ 
ing the course above indicated, of being in a position to 
avail itself at any time during the coming ten or fifteen years, 
and at a little comparative loss and without the slightest dan¬ 
ger to the water service, of any improvement in pumping en¬ 
gines which the inventive genius of the country might pro¬ 
duce. Whereas, the course taken by the water commis¬ 
sioners in this matter, precludes the city almost entirely, un¬ 
less at an immense loss, from making any change or adopting 
any improvement in the very department of the water works 
where improvement may be most desirable, and is most likely 
to occur. For these and other reasons which will readily sug¬ 
gest themselves, your committee cannot agree with the water 
commissioners in their view of the necessity of spending so 
large an amount in the pumping department at Pettaconset. 

We ask your particular attention as to what the commis¬ 
sioners say in regard to the comparative merit and cost of 
Scotch and other pipes. We think their testimony and that 
of others, from which they quote at some length, establishes the 
wisdom of putting the best pipe into our deep sewers, inas¬ 
much as the difference in the first cost of the pipe is small 
compared with the whole cost of the sewers or that of taking 


4 





W A TER WORKS A ND 8 E WE R S. 


11 


up the sewers or any portion of them, in consequence of im¬ 
perfect pipe, and from disintegration from any cause, after be¬ 
ing laid. 

ihe committee are of the opinion that to put other pipe 
than that known to be durable for a long period, into sewers, 
would be a mistaken policy, as it would be more costly in the 
end, besides the great inconvenience it would cause those who 
use the sewers, should they give out. 

The committee saw various kinds of pipe subjected to a 
strong test by being immersed in acid. Some would stand the 
test perfectly, and others would commence dissolving at once. 
Where only fresh water is to pass, the kind of pipe is not of 
so much consequence. But inasmuch as no rule or ordinance 
can prevent any and all substances, at times, being introduced 
into our sewers, it would be bad economy to put in any pipe 
which would not be impervious to any substances which 
might go into them from our chemical works, print works and 
other manufactories. 

The committee had before them Mr. Tripp, a manufacturer 
of drain pipe, etc., in this city. He was given a patient hear¬ 
ing, and produced letters and reports from various parties and 
cities who are using cement pipe with satisfactory results, and 
still continue its use. The committee do not doubt that, for 
most purposes, where only ordinary substances are to enter, 
that it will answer well, and should recommend it for private 
and public use in such cases. But to introduce it into our 
deep sewers, the committee would consider it inexpedient and 
unwise. You will bear in mind that as no chain is stronger 
than its weakest link, so no sewer is secure with any portion 
being laid with imperfeet or doubtful pipe. 

As to the depths and sizes of our sewers, the committee, in 
addition to the written report of the water commissioners to 
them concerning these points, heard the commissioners and 
chief engineei fully in regard to all matters, bearing upon 
them. And we are of the opinion, that in the main, the plans 
they have pursued in laying them, are correct, and for the 
present and future interests of our growing city. We recom 







12 


CITY DOCUMENT . 


Xo. 118. 


mend to the hoard particularly, that portion of their report 
touching these matters and all others connected with the sub¬ 
ject of sewers, as being full and intelligent, together with facts 
concerning sewers in other cities. 

The commissioners personally showed every desire to con¬ 
vey to the committee a full understanding of what they are, 
and have been doing. We were more than pleased by the 
apparent perfect system by which their accounts and records 
are kept, and by their arrangements for careful inspection of 
all material used in the construction of the water works and 
sewers, and the great care the} r were taking to check every¬ 
thing from entering in at variance with the city’s real interest, 
and the perfecting of the great work in which they are acting 
as the city’s agents. \ 

In great public works of this kind, it is true economy to ar¬ 
rive as near perfection in their construction as possible. These 
works are intended to last for all time, resulting in untold 
blessings to the latest posterity and promoting the growth and 
prosperity of our city. When they shall be completed, we 
shall not be ashamed to compare them with those of any other 
American city. 

It is not sufficient that our water works should be con¬ 
structed only to supply a city twice or thrice the size of ours 
at present. Inasmuch as we anticipate a great future, we 
should plan in the beginning for such, in the quantity of water 
as well as reservoirs, engines, engine-houses and main pipes, 
so as to answer for this growth. There are some things con¬ 
nected with the construction for which we can wait until the 
growth of the city demands it. 

But these main things ought to be provided at the outset. 
We believe it is the desire, above all others, of the water com¬ 
missioners to pass over to this city, so far as they go, a com¬ 
plete and thorough work. They believe this to be for the 
best interests pf the city and true economy, and to- this end 
~ they are diligently and faithfully working. The particular 
examination of every material entering into the construction 
of the water works and sewers, requires, of course, intelligent 


% 






WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


hi 


service and increase of help, which adds to the cost. But it 
is all saved and more, to the city, by the rejection of imper¬ 
fect material. . Nothing is intended to go into the works, that 
has not passed the ordeal of a thorough inspection. The 
committee are not inclined to lengthen their report, inasmuch 
as the answers of the water commissioners are so full and 
complete. Perhaps they need not say more, but could not say 
less. In closing, we ask the board and the public generally 
to examine carefully the facts brought to light by this resolu¬ 
tion. It would be wonderful if some errors have not been 
committed in so large an undertaking. If there have been, 
and they can now be remedied, let them be stayed; but be¬ 
fore condemnation, let all be carefully considered and examined, 
in order that we may form an enlightened judgment. To aid 
such judgment has been the only object of this examination 
and this report, which we now most respectfully submit. 

Addison Q. Fisher, \ 

George T. Spicer, > Committee. 
Geo. L. Clarke, ) - 




14 


C1 T Y I) 0 C U M E N T. 


No. 118. 


COMMUNICATION FROM THE BOARD OF WATER 



Office of the Board of Water Commissioners, ] 
Providence, R. I., October 30, 1874. j 

Messrs. Addison Q. Fisher, George T. Spicer, George 
L. Clarke, Committee of the Board of Aldermen: 

Gentlemen: In answer to your request for information in 
regard to the matters mentioned in a resolution of the Board 
of Aldermen, passed October 12th instant, in relation to 
water works and sewers, the Water Commissioners respectfully 
report: 

First: As to “ the actual cost of the water works and their 

capacity , at date of last quarterly report f etc.: 

The original estimate of the cost of the introduction of water by 
the Pawtuxet plan (one of four reported to the City Council 
in October, 1868, by the Joint Special Committee of that 

body) was.. $1,477,035 08 

The actual cost of land and land and water damages, construc¬ 
tion and maintenance, to September 1,1874, as shown by the 
Commissioners’ Trial Balance of Ledger (City Document No. 

103, current series, page 29), was: 

Amount of approved bills.$3,696,126 47 

Amount to the credit of J. B. & J. M. Cornell. 1«,000 00 

Amount to the credit of Warren Foundry and Ma¬ 
chine Co,. 4.195 00 

Amount to the credit of Gloucester Iron Works .... 7,490 47 

Amount to the credit of Interest. 54 66 


Total 


$3,708,866 60 


Less the amount received for rent of property pur¬ 
chased, sale of buildings, wood, meters, and 
other material, etc. (excepting receipts for water 
and $186 received for penalties) . 


$138,003 52 3,570,863 08 


The estimated cost of maintenance from January 1, 
1872, to September 1, 1874, was. 


81,650 74 


$3,489,212 34 


















WATER WORKS A KB SEWERS. 15 

Deduct estimated amount due water works from sewer depart¬ 
ment for engineering and office expenses. 30,000 no 


S3,458,012 34 

The following items, which will be collected, should be deducted 


from the cost of the works: 

City of Providence, Abbott Park Fountain. $708 74 

City of Providence, Public Market . 12 00 

Heirs of Joseph Harris, for work on Reservoir 

avenue ..• .. 440 81 1,167 55 

Cost of construction to September 1, 1874. S3, 457,444 79 


Which includes 1226,371.75 paid lor land and land and water 
damages. There is due from A. & W. Sprague Manufactur¬ 
ing Company the sum of $2,500, which said Company, by 
written agreement, agreed to pay towards the cost of grading 
a road in which leading mains are laid, which amount, if 
eventually collected, should be deducted from the cost of con¬ 
struction. 

The plans upon which the works have been con¬ 
structed are so much changed from those originally estimated 
upon, that no fair comparison of items can be made between 
them. The general effect of these changes has been to ma¬ 
terially lessen the cost of iron mains and distribution, and to 
increase the cost of the pumping works. It is believed that 
each change has increased the value and efficiency of the 
works, except in the matter of filter-beds. The following- 
comparison is intended to answer the requirements of the res¬ 
olution, so far as practicable : 

LANDS AND DAMAGES. 

The original estimates for lands were made by the nfore- 
said committee and included only such areas and rights of 
way as would be needed for the permanent use of the works. 
In negotiating for lands, the Water Commissioners found 
it desirable to buy whole farms, in some cases, rather than 
to “ take ” only such potions as were needed. This was 
true also of water damages, and the entire privilege at Paw- 
tuxet was bought. It thus happens that while the payments 
for lands and damages have been large, the city has valuable 















16 


CITY DOCUMENT . 


No. 118 . 


real estate and water power that may be sold without injury 
to the works. The lands which may be sold have very largely 
increased in value since their purchase. Another cause for 
the increase under this item was the construction of Hope 
Reservoir, which required the expenditure for lands ol more 
than half the total amount charged to this account. The 
whole cost, however, of land and construction for Hope Res¬ 
ervoir is to be balanced against the saving in cost ot iron 
mains and distribution thereby secured. 


Original estimate for lands and damages... $52,550 00 

COST. 

Hope Reservoir, for land (net)... $118,229 05 

Sockanosset Reservoir, for land (net). 14,539 86 

Line of leading mains, for land and damages.\ .. 1,005 00 

Force main line, for land and damages. 3,000 35 

Real Estate in Warwick (net). 11,986 80 

Water privileges, mill and other real estate in Pawtuxet (net;... 40,392 43 

Pettaconset Pumping Station, for land (net,) . 25,899 38 

Fences and sundries... 4,652 28 


$220,371 75 

Excess of expenditures to September 1, 1874. 173,821*75 


PUMPING WORKS AT PETTACONSET. 

A change of plan in Sockanosset Reservoir—by which, on 
account of the substitution of a filtering-basin at Pettaconset 
in place of filter-beds at Sockanosset, a saving of over two 
hundred thousand dollars was secured, with higher head and 
greater capacity in the reservoir—involved a change of plan 
and largely increased cost at the Pettaconset pumping station. 
A further increase in cost was incurred for the purpose of se¬ 
curing safe and efficient engines of a high duty, by which it 
is expected that the yearly expenses will be lessened, result¬ 
ing in greatly increased economy. 

Early in the consideration of the plans by the Water Com¬ 
missioners, the question of the best method of filtering the 
water was earnestly discussed. The artificial beds which were 
planned would be expensive and require constant attention in 
maintenance, while careful borings at Pettaconset indicated 
“the probability of obtaining a sufficient quantity of clear 














WATER WORKS AND % SEWERS. 


17 


water from basins excavated in the sand at a depth below the 
surface of the rivet.* at a comparatively small expense, and 
without permanent clogging.” The commissioners finally 
determined to try the natural filter basin at Pettaconset? 
“notwithstanding the possible chance of failure iu the scheme 
and the possible need oc constructing the artificial filter-beds 
at last. Even, however, should it fail as a natural filter-basin, 
it would probably be worth a considerable portion of its cost 
as a settling-basin, from which the water, in this case intro¬ 
duced imo it by pipes running through the river embank¬ 
ment, would be pumped.” The above quotations are from 
the report of the chief engineer made in January, 1871. It 
proved that the sand is finer than the borings indicated, and 
therefore the water runs through it less rapidly than was ex¬ 
pected. Enough is probably received, however, for the pres¬ 
ent wants of the city, and a ready extension may be made by 
galleries on the Warwick side of the river at moderate ex¬ 
pense. A pipe has already been laid through the river em¬ 
bankment, which will form part of a line of communication 
between the basin and such galleries, should such galleries be 
constructed. 

The original estimate for dam and conduit, pump-well, engine- 

house and vwo engines at Pe-.n aeon set was . $288,003 87 

Thee has been’expended to - .be^e proposes, ■. a chiding filter • 

basin, the sum of. ... .... . . 395,423 97 

Of which it is maed 'hat one hundred and Co >:y-four 
thousand dollars have been expended for engine-house 
and boiler hoa>e above the pump-wed and lie eog.ue bouse 
foundations. 

Excels of expenditures io September 1, 1874. $107,420 10 

. One engine has been in operation t here nearly t nree years, and a second 
is expec.ed .o be vanning \v:>•«).>a six months. 

SOCf> ANOSSET RESERVOIR. 

The orig'oal estimate for this resewo’r w-.h filter-beds was..., $133,063 59 
The amount expended was . ■ 2->3,4 37 91 

Expenditure to September 1, 1S74, less than estimate. $U'o,^ii5 (>8 

* 

The available water surface is six and a half feet higher 
than originally contemplated, and the available capacity is a 
little more than four million gallons greater. 











18 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


Ho. 118. 


HIGH SERVICE. 

It was originally intended to erect a high-service reservoir of 
an available capacity of about one million gallons, near East 
Turnpike, opposite Doyle avenue, but as the head of water 
contemplated was much less than the commissioners thought 
necessary for the district, and an increase of head ivould be 
very expensive, a change of plan was determined upon, which 
would dispense with the reservoir and give the required head 
of water directly from the distribution. Under the present 
system water is maintained in the high service distribution 
under a pressure equal to a height of water about thirty-five 
feet above that originally planned. A reservoir has great 
value in furnishing a store of water to be drawn upon during 
hours of excessive demand, whether for fire purposes or for 
the largest requirements of the day service. If, therefore, a 
reservoir is dispensed with, the pumping power must be much 
larger than would otherwise be needed. The original esti¬ 
mates provided for two pumping engines of a capacity of one 
and a half million, gallons each in twenty-four hours, while 
the present plan provides for two engines of a capacity of 
five million gallons each in the same time. Duplicate engines, 
each of the maximum capacity required, are considered to be 
essential in such a service, for the reason that one engine 
must inevitably be down for repairs, at times, and the maxi¬ 
mum demand is as likely to occur at such a time as at any 
other. It is usual to estimate the discharge of a fire stream, 
under about one hundred and seventy-five feet head, at from 
two hundred to four hundred gallons per minute, depending 
on the size of nozzle and length of hose. At the test of fire 
hydrants in Market Square, in November, 1872, when twenty- 
four streams were played through nozzles from seven-eighths 
to one and one-fourth inch diameter, it was found that the 
discharge was probably a little over two hundred gallons per 
minute for each stream. A few of the hydrants in the High 
Service are under about twenty-five feet greater head than 
those on Market Square, and would therefore discharge more 
water through the same nozzle. At the same rate of dis- 



/ 


WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 19 

charge as in Market Square, a five million engine will suppty 
about seventeen fire streams, or if a discharge of three hun¬ 
dred gallons per minute is assumed, the engine would supply 
less than twelve fire streams, even assuming that all other use 
of water could be cut off during a fire, which is, of coarse, 
out of the question. If the head is allowed to run down on 
the engine, or hydrants located on higher ground are used, a 
greater number of streams of less force . could be supplied. 
As the demand for water for ordinary service is proved to be, 
during some hours, about two and a half times greater than 
at others, it seems clear that after such supply is given, the 
remaining capacity of a five-million engine is not more than 
a prudent provision for fire purposes requires. 

The original estimate for the high service, exclusive of mains and 


distribution, was..$189,719 20 

Expenditures. 108,355 10 

Expenditures to September 1,1874, less than estimate. $21,364 10 

DELIVERY OF WATER. 


The changes in other parts of the works, which increased 
their cost, very materially lessened the cost of distribution, 
which originally formed more than three-quarters of the esti¬ 
mated cost of the entire works. 

The most important change was the construction of 
Hope Reservoir, the practical effect of which was to obtain 
equal efficiency in the supply of water, with smaller pipes. 
The reservoir amounts to an enlargement of the pipes where 
it is located, so as to store a supply of water when the demand 
in the city is small, and give it out when the demand is large. 
The following extract, from a report of the chief engineer, 
made January, 1871, will illustrate its operation “ A lead- 
inu- main from a reservoir, at a distance of several miles on 
one side, is required to be of greater capacity, in order to sup¬ 
ply the greatest demand without too much loss of head under 
that rate of flow; but, with another reservoir lying beyond the 
centre of distribution, near at hand, on the opposite side a 
leading main may be of such size as to supply the (ivct cige de- 







20 


CITY DOCUMENT . 


No. 118. 


mand ; for when the draft upon the main exceeds the average 
quantity, so as to lessen the head upon the pipes, a supply be¬ 
gins to flow from the regulating or storage reservoir, and thus 
the demand is supplied from both directions through pipes of 
a combined capacity, sufficient to maintain the required head. 
Again, when the draft becomes less than the average quantity, 
the head upon the pipes increases, and the water overflows 
into the regulating reservoir and is stored there for use during 
the greater demand/’ Smaller pipes may also be laid in the 
distribution, when there is a supply from two directions during 
great demand. 

The original estimate for force mains, leading mains, 

upper service mains and.distribiuion, was. £.‘.'.385,098 42 

Expenditures for mains, distribution and Hope 

Reservoir,.$2,192,999 12 

To this may be added the cost, of service pipes, dri ok- 

ing fountains, &c., not originally estimated for.. 83,969 80 2,279,998 02 

Expenditures to Sept. 1, 1874, less than estimate- $1,105,129 5o 

ENGINEERING AND OFFICE EXPENSES. 

The various changes on the works very largely increased the 
necessary engineering expenses, especially in the construction 
of Hope reservoir and the changes at Pettaconset. This is 
illustrated in the length of time the works have been under 
construction, being already nearly five years, while the works, 
as originally planned, might possibly have been completed in 
threq years. But this increase of time has been of no disad¬ 
vantage to the water-takers, who began to be supplied about 
two years after the works were commenced, which, considering 
the state of the works, is unprecedented, so far as known, ex¬ 
cept, perhaps, in the case of Brooklyn, where, however, the 
distribution had been, in great part completed before the water 
was supplied. The Commissioners have felt that in works of 
this character and magnitude, the most thorough and careful 
investigation was essential to a true economy, and they are sat¬ 
isfied that a saving of expense in this department would have 
resulted in manifold greater expenditures in other ways and 
in less valuable works. 







WAfER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


21 


The original estimate for engineering and office expenses, was... .$125,000 00 


The expenditures have been (net). 141,104 36 

Excess of expenditures over estimate.$ 16,104 36 


ITEMS NOT ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED FOR. 


Under this head are included : 

Three dwelling houses for employes, at Pettaconset, costing.$ 9,621 71 

Oue for the keeper at Sockanossei, unfinished, costing thus far_ 1,114 32 

Three telegraph stations, with connecting lines, costing. 1,887 99 / 

Sundries .. 158 76 


Total..$12,782 78 


CAPACITY OF WORKS. 

The works as constructed have to-day, in some respects, a 
capacity greater than those originally planned and in others 
less. In the most important item—that of distribution—the 
length of water mains laid, is nine and two tenths per cent, 
greater than at first contemplated, and pipes are on hand suf¬ 
ficient to make the length sixteen and eight-tenths per cent, 
greater. 

The total length of mains and distribution originally estimated 


for, was. 95.85 miles 

The total length laid to October lltli instant, was. 104.68 miles. 

The length of pipe on hand ready to lay, was... 7.27 miles. 

Laid and ready to lay.111.95 miles. 


The capacity of the works to supply fire streams is very 
much greater than at first planned. Eight hundred and one 
fire hydrants had been set to October 11th inst., each having 
a delivering capacity more than four times as great as the hy¬ 
drants at first estimated for, of which there were to have been 
six hundred and eighty-five. 

The lands and water power, as before stated,are much in ex¬ 
cess of the quantity estimated. 

On the other hand it yet remains to complete the engine 
house and boiler house at Pettaconset; the engine and ap¬ 
purtenances to be ejected therein; the Hope Reservoir and 
the second High-service engine; and to lay the second force 
main to Sockanosset. 
















22 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


The estimated cost of the work done since the last quarterly 
report, and to be incurred to lay the pipes now on hand, and 


the amount still due for pipes delivered, is. $219,942 78 

The expenditures necessary to bring all other departments up to 

the capacity originally planned are estimated at. 487,422 31 


$707,305 09 

Of this amount it is estimated that $77,450 will be required for 
the engine house and boiler house at Pettaconset, making the 
total cost of those buildings above the pump-well and 
engine house foundations, about $221,450. 

The value of the work done, or included in the above estimated 
cost, in the departments of mains,distribution and fire supply, 
above that originally estimated, is estimated at. ..$382,780 31 

Add value of real estate and water power that may 

be sold. . 50,000 00- 


432.780 31 

Balance.... . $274,584 78 

To be added to cost of works, as above.. .... 3,457,444 79 


Making. $3,732,029 57 


—which is the estimated cost of completed works of at least 
equal capacity and efficiency as originally estimated for, [at 
$4,477,035 08,] except in the matter of filter-beds and the 
difference of capacity between the five million engine, first 
erected at Pettaconset and a nine million engine originally 
estimated for. 

Second :—As to “ the revenue, thus far, from water, as com¬ 
pared with the revenue from the same number of miles of pipe in 
. other cities, and at the same stage of construction 

The Commissioners are not aware that any other city has 
supplied water generally to takers at the same stage of con¬ 
struction as in* Providence. The only case that approaches 
it within their knowledge is that of Brooklyn, where the con¬ 
tractor, who was under obligations to supply water within a 
given time, put up a small engine and supplied water about 
thirteen months before the first permanent engine was ready 
to run ; the distribution was, however, nearly completed be¬ 
fore he did so, and amounted in the next year, at the date of 
our first definite record, to about one hundred and twenty-four 
miles. We have no records for proper comparison of income, 
as' the city did not take charge of the works until later. 











WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


23 


Records of the works iu New York, Boston and Providence enable us to 
make the following comparison : 



Work begun. 

Water j 
Introduced. 

Amount ex¬ 
pended at 
time of intro¬ 
duction. 

Income. 

First 

Year. 

Second 

Year. 

Third 

Year. 

New York.. 

Boston. 

Providence. 

Spring, 1837. 

Aug. 20,1846. 

May 4, 1870. 

Oct. 5, 1842. 

Oct. 31,1848. 

Dec. 1,1871. 

$12,500,000 00 

3,998,051 83 

1,494,313 10 

$32,053 74 

71,657 79 

41,003 51 

’$84,444 68 
99,025 45 

97,386 09 

$117,277 86 

161,052 85 

145,551 68 ( ?) 


The expenditures in Boston and Providence are less credits, 
which in the latter city, amounted to $20,621 98. The first 
year’s income in New York was for a supply during seven 
months. The income in Boston is independent of the public 
use. The third year’s income in Providence is estimated as 
follows : 

Amount collected in first eight months of 1873.$72,144 22 

Amount collected in last four months of 1873. . 25,241 87 

-$97,386 09 

The collections in last four months were 34.988 per cent, of the 
collections in the first eight mouths. 

Amount collected in first eight months of 1874 . 107,825 65 

Estimate for last four months at 34.988 per cent, of first eight 

months. 37.726 03 

Estimated income for 1874. 145.551 68 

The actual income to the 21st instant, inclusive, was. 122,005 05 

The total amount of income from water rates at the date of the 

last quarterly report, was. 246,215 25 

It will be noticed that none of this amount is deducted 
from the cost of the works. 

Third :_As to “ the probable length of time that will elapse 

before it will be necessary to erect a second engine at the Petta- 
conset Pumping Station .” 

The average daily consumption of water in this city at the 
present time is about two million gallons. It is not proba¬ 
ble that a second permanent engine will be needed at Petta* 
conset, until the daily consumption reaches about five million 
gallons. The length of time that will elapse before such use, 
can only be conjectured ; perhaps it will be four or five years. 




































u 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118 . 


The works were planned for such use of water as other cities 
have proved to require, but the unprecedented employment of 
meters here has kept the use of water much less than it would 
otherwise have been. 


Fourth :—As to “ the cost of the stand-pipe to he erectedf' £c. 

A contract has been executed with the Rhode Island Loco¬ 
motive Works fdr furnishing and erecting this stand-pipe for 
the sum of twelve thousand dollars. ^Additional; cost for cas- 
ing and capping will not exceed two thousand dollars. The 
stand-pipe, (as also the pump-well, foundations and superstruct¬ 
ure of engine-house and boiler-house,) will serve for four en¬ 


gines. 

The introduction of such a feature as a stand-pipe in the 
building must necessarily affect the general design ; if any ad¬ 
ditional expenditure has been incurred on this account, it is 
included in the amount stated as the cost of engine house. 


Fifth As to “ die cost of the stand-pipe at the Hope Engine 
Housed etc. 

No stand-pipe has been erected at Hope pumping station, 
and none will be required for the second engine for that sta¬ 
tion, now in process of construction. 

Early in the work of constructing Hope Re-ervoir, and be¬ 
fore the engine now running at this station was erected, the 
commissioners endeavored to obtain from the contractor for 
the first Hope Engine a release of his right to claim the erection 
of a stand-pipe at that point, for the reason that they believed 
it unnecessary and wished to save the expense ; but failing in 
this, as will be seen by the following letter, they had no alter¬ 
native but to put in the foundation, which consisted of a small 
amount of rough rubble masonry. Nothing has been done 
upon the work within a year. 



WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


25 


(Copy.) 

[Incorporated June, 1856.] Corliss Steam Engine Company } 

G eorge H. Corliss, Treasurer, j- 
Providence, R. I., lltliMay, 1872. ) 

To Messrs. Moses B. Lockwood , Charles E. Carpenter , Joseph J. Cooke , Water 

Commissioners: 

GentlemenMy pending contract for a steam pumping apparatus for 
the city of Providence, was undertaken with a clear understanding that it 
was to he used in connection with a “Standing Pipe” for 120 feet “head.” 
Mr. Sliedd has proposed to me the substitution of an Air Chamber in place 
of a standing pipe. 

Now this is to say that I do not deem either the standing pipe or the air 
chamber necessary to the proper working of my system, and shall he con- 
ent to try the apparatus without either of the said appliances, but I do not 
waive my right to the benefits of the standing pipe, if, after trial , I should 
the satisfied that it is necessary to the successful working of my apparatus. 

Very respectfully yours, 

George H. Corliss. 

Sixth:—As to “ what amount has been paid for marble used 
in construction , and where located , and what sums have been ex¬ 
pended for foreign granite , and where it ivas obtained 

The only marble used in the construction of the works 
is a slab for a wash bowl at Hope Engine House, the cost of 
which was fifteen dollars. No foreign granite whatever has 
been used. 

Seventh :—As to “ the number of employes in the Engineering 
Department ,” etc. 

The force in both water and sewer departments, the capaci¬ 
ties in which they severally act, and their rates of compensa¬ 
tion, are as follows: 

WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 

A chief engineer at a salary of $8,000 pei annum. 

An assistant engineer, who has general charge of the business of the 
office verifies bills and estimates requiring the approval of the chief engi¬ 
neer ’and pays off the yard and service pipe employes and all laborers on 
sewers constructed by the day. Salary, $3,000 per annum. 

A clerk at $1,000 per annum. 

A copyist at $1.25 per day. 

WATER WORKS. 

An assistant engineer in charge of operations at Fettaconset. I limping 
Station. Hope Reservoir and Pumping Station, and Sock a m sset Reservoir 


4 



26 


CITY DOCUMENT . 


No. 118. 


Salary, 83,000 per annum, and an extra allowance of 835 per month while 
attending to his duties at both stations. 

An assistant engineer, resident at Pettaconset Pumping Station, at 
81,200 per annum and rent of house. 

Two students at same place, at $300 each per annum. 

An axeman at same place, at 82.00 per day. 

Two assistant engineers at Hope Reservoir, one each at 81,200 and 81,000 
per annum. 

Two students, at same place, at 8400 each per annum. 

A time-keeper and handy-man, at same place, at 83.00 per day. 

An assistant engineer on distribution, at 81,200 per annum. 

Two students on same work, one each at 8500 and 8400 per annum. 

An assistant engineer in the office, on plans, service and miscellaneous 
work, at 81,000 per annum. 

A mechanical engineer, at 8200 per month. 

A service pipe engineer, at 8>1,000 per annum. 

SEWERS. 

An assistant engineer in charge of designs, plans, records and general 
office business of sewers and private drain connections, at a salary of 82,500 
per annum. 

An assistant engineer in general charge of construction (field work) at 
$2,500 per annum. 

Two assistant engineers on construction, one each at $1,200 and $1,000 
per annum. 

Two assistant engineers on field and office work, one at $1,000, and one 
working afternoons only at $500 per annum. 

Two students at $500 each, and one at $400 per annum. 

One handy-man (field work) at $2.00 per day. 

Two draughtsmen and general assistants, at $1.50 per day each. 

One engineer of private drain connections, at $100 per month. 

One temporary assistant to above, at $3 per day. 

Two clerks, one at $1,000 per annum and one at 82.25 per day. 

Eighth :—As to “ the accessibility of all contracts etc. 

The Commissioners do not remember that any case has ever 
occurred in which a citizen has been denied opportunity to 
examine a contract after its execution. An examination of 
records has never been denied excepting when containing a 
record of proposals for furnishing work and materials, the 
contract for doing which had not been executed. The “ Or¬ 
dinance in Relation to Water Commissioners and Water 
Works,” approved September 20, 1869, provides that “the 
contents of no proposal shall be made known to any person 
not a member of the commission until after a contract shall 
have been made.” While, therefore, pleasure is taken in 
affording information to parties interested in the work, it is 


i 



WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 



not conceded that the transaction of business in the several 
departments should be impeded by improper demands upon 
the time of the Commissioners or their employes. 

Ninth:—As to “ the comparative merits and cost of Scotch 
and other pipes f etc. 

The essential points of a good sewer pipe are, strength to 
withstand external pressure ; the ability to resist the chemical 
action of sewage acids and gases upon its inner surface, and 
of the earth in which it may be imbedded; true shape and 
interior smoothness. 

The pipe mainly in use by this department is the Scotch 
vitrified stone-ware pipe, the excellence and durability of 
which is undisputed. We have also used the vitrified pipe of 
several different American manufacturers, which usually have 
less strength, and also cost less (the best of them by from 
six to nine cents per foot for twelve-inch pipe, and nine to 
fifteen cents per foot for fifteen-inch pipe). This differ¬ 
ence in cost is a small percentage on the completed sewer, as 
the cost of excavating, backfilling, laying, paving, etc., is the 
same, whatever the pipe used. With one or two exceptions, 
the American makers use the slip-glaze, which allows the use 
of poorer clay and less complete burning than is necessary for 
pipe of a reliable character. The salt-glazed pipe must be of 
good clay and thoroughly burned to make a perfect glaze, and, 
at the same time, a sound pipe of true form. We have never 
laid cement pipe, so-called, made of cement and sand, for rea¬ 
sons which appear in this statement. 

As, according to the tests of time and science and the judg¬ 
ment of the best engineers of this country, well made vitrified 
stone-ware or clay pipes, and in an eminent degree, the Scotch, 
possess all the requisites for sewerage uses, the question as to 
comparative merits may best be answered by stating the ob¬ 
jectionable features of cement pipe. 

Weakness. _When our present Point street sewer was built, 

in 1872, a line of cement pipes was taken up that had been 





28 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


laid about a year. The contractor was to have these pipes, 
but many of them would not hold together to be taken out, 
and the attempt to save them was abandoned. 

In excavating for a new sewer in Friendship street, in this 
city, early last month, a line of six-inch cement drain pipes 
was taken out, some of which were examined and found to be 
so soft that a pick-point lightly struck on the top would pen¬ 
etrate it half an inch, and the bottom was not as hard as some 
kinds of dry, unbaked clay. It is not known when they 
were laicL 

The city surveyor of Hartford, in 1872, says: “I have 
long been convinced of their utter worthlessness, as now 
made, and our experience in taking up several lately has borne 
the strongest proof of the correctness of my opinion. We 
have had occasion to remove quite a number of small pieces, 
one of which had only been laid a little more than a year, and 
the others a longer time, and in every case we have found 
them either smashed in the ground or else so far gone that 
with the greatest care they could not be removed from the 
trench.” 

In Taunton, a portion of a cement pipe sewer, through 
which only clear water flowed, was uncovered for examina¬ 
tion, to determine the question as to further use of that kind 
of pipe. It was found to be honey-combed and in so weak a 
condition that brick had to be substituted. • 

John P. Culver, chief engineer, Board of Public Works, of 
Jersey City, says: “Cement pipe never will answer a safe 
purpose until it can be manufactured so as not to become dis¬ 
integrated after being laid in the trench and covered. j 
have known a sewer to cave in built of it, and make a most 
disagreeable state of affairs from the fact of not knowing to 
what extent the break extended.” 

The city surveyor of Newark, N. J., has used them and finds 
they break easily. 

Large cement pipes have been found broken into several 
pieces in Indianapolis. 

The city engineer of Springfield, Ill., says that they are 




WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


29 


seldom of uniform texture and are very easily broken ; don’t 
consider them safe or durable, while the vitrified pipe is as 
lasting as time. 

While it is true that some cement pipes may, and occasion¬ 
ally do, prove durable under the service to which they have 
been subjected, there is always an uncertainty attending their 
use, which cannot be said of the Scotch pipe, and perhaps 
some American brands of vitrified pipe. 

E. S. Chesbrough, city engineer of Chicago, and the highest 
authority on the subject of sewerage in this country, says that 
while some cement pipes have laid twenty years, and are still 
in good condition, others have failed in Jess than three years ; 
and further, that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to be 
certain with regard to the quality of a cement pipe, while it 
is not so with regard to hard-burnt clay. He says in conclu¬ 
sion : 44 Cement pipes have been slowly disintegrated by cer¬ 
tain gases and acids emptied into them. Some very strik¬ 
ing instances of this kind occurred in San Francisco, where 
urine from privies was discharged into the cement pipes. 
Nothing of this kind has ever occurred, so far as I can learn, 
with well-burnt pipes. My opinion is that hard burnt or vit¬ 
rified clay pipe should be preferred for sewerage purposes to 
cement pipe, because of the much greater certainty of getting 
a good article of the former than of the latter; and in this 
respect I have the concurrence of several distinguished mem¬ 
bers of my profession, who have come to their conclusion on 
the subject after years of observation and experience.” 

City engineer Smedley, of Philadelphia, says of cement 
pipe, that although somewhat cheaper than vitrified pipe, 
there is so much uncertainty in them that he would not be 
willing to risk their general introduction. 44 Cases have been 
reported to me of cement pipes where they have all had to 
be taken up on account of their deterioration.” 

The city engineer of Patterson, N. J., does not believe 
care is taken to have the cement pipes of uniform texture, 
and that if sufficient water is used to.make the mass homo- 









30 


CITY DOCUMENT . 


No. 118. 


geneous, the time required to have the pipes properly made 
and the cement well set and seasoned, would make the cost 
of cement pipe equal to vitrified. 

N. Henry Crafts, formerly city engineer of Boston, says 
he regards cement pipe as worthless unless made of the best 
materials, and even then it is not as good as the vitrified— 
would use the latter notwithstanding the difference in cost. 

The superintendent of sewers in Boston says that one of 
the worst features of the use of cement pipe is the uncer¬ 
tainty of its quality,—no sample test being possible. 

The city engineer of Pittsburgh is of the opinion that if 
the proper quality of materials is used, and their thorough 
manipulation and proper 44 setting” is secured, cement pipe 
may stand, otherwise the most unsatisfactory results will be 
obtained. He would not like to risk it on any extensive 
work. 

The city surveyor of New Haven, where •cement pipe has 
been somewhat extensively used, confesses to a feeling of un¬ 
easiness, and thinks the time may come when it will be found 
that the experiment was tried on too large a scales 

Susceptibility to Chemical Action .—About five years ago, 
Professor S. W. Johnson, of Yale College, reported as follows 
to the mayor of New Haven, on the comparative merits of 
salt-glazed Scotch pipe and cement pipe : 44 The cement pipe 
becomes lined, indeed, with a greasy coating which, doubtless, 
Would hinder the subsequent action of acid, but the solubil¬ 
ity of the cement is nevertheless a most serious objection in 
a sewer pipe, which must be laid down and repaired at 
heavy cost, and which ought, therefore, to be made of the 
most durable materials. I have also examined the salt-glazed 
stoneware pipes. These appear to unite every quality of ma¬ 
terial requisite for a good sewer pipe. 

44 They are exceedingly hard and fine in texture, and are 
well coated on both sides with the salt-glazing, which is nearly 
the same thing as a coating of glass, and is as nearly insoluble 
and indestructible by acid and alkali as anything which the 
arts produce that can be employed in sewer pipes. 




WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


31 


“ The salt glazed pipes deserve the preference, especially 
as their expense is not much greater than that of the cement 
pipes.” 

In Philadelphia, in 1871, Thomas Shaw, a well known en¬ 
gineer, immersed separately in the strongest sulphuric acid, two 
samples each of Scotch and American vitrified clay and ce¬ 
ment pipe. They remained immersed about three months, 
when, on examination, the Scotch and American vitrified pipe 
were found to be in no way affected, while the cement pipe 
showed the disintegrating effects of the acid in its corroded 
surface, and in the separated particles of cement and sand 
with which the bottom of the vessel was thickly covered. 

Charles A. Putnam, a civil engineer of Salem, Mass., reports 
the following case Avhich came under his notice: In 1869, 
some cement pipe drains owned by the Naumkeag Steam Cot¬ 
ton Company, and through which privy sewage was discharged, 
were uncovered to make connections, when they weie found to 
be in very bad condition, the bottom of the pipes being in 
about as soft a state as the matter flowing through them, and 
would fall out when the pipes were lifted from their beds. 
The pipes leading from the houses were in a better condition 
and are still in use. These pipes were made under the 
Knight patent, and were laid in 1865-6. 

Cement pipes have been condemned in New York City, 
Chicago, Cincinnati, Toledo, Washington, Minneapolis, Little 
Rock and other localities, for the specific reason that they will 
sooner or later become disintegrated by the action of sewage 
acids, gases, etc. 

In Washington, cement pipes, uncovered by a change of 
grade, were found to be in such a state of decomposition that 
they could not be taken up whole. 

In Jersey City, in 1872, quite a number of cement pipes 
were uncovered, all of which were more or less disintegiated 

on the outside. 

In Rochester, cement pipes that had been down only one 

year were found to be unfit to relay. 

Several cases of the destruction of cement pipes by acids, 





32 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


urine and house drainage, have come to the knowledge of our 
chief engineer. 

Less than one-fourth of our large cities use cement pipes. 
Some that formerly did so have abandoned the practice; 
among them Jersey City, St. Louis, Hartford, Erie, Toledo, 
Baltimore and Richmond. 

Besides these, the following cities do not use cement pipes : 
Washington, which, in 1872, laid seventy miles of pipes, 
nearly one-half of which (and the most satisfactory portion) 
were Scotch; Paterson, N. J., where the use of Scotch is 
required by ordinance; Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh, 
Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Alleghany, Lancaster, Spring- 
field, Ill., Minneapolis, Fort Wayne, Little Rock, Lawrence, 
Kan., Augusta, Lynn, and others. 

It is understood that the following cities use cement pipe : 
Brooklyn, Portland, Cambridge, New Haven (less than for¬ 
merly), Newburg, Buffalo, Harrisburg, Cleveland and the 
Newark Aqueduct Board. Boston haa used all kinds, but 
now favors vitrified. 

The present cost of Scotch pipes, delivered in this city, is 
74 cents per foot for 12-inch, and $1.15 per foot for 15-inch. 

The cost for American vitrified pipes varies from 52 cents 
to 68 cents per foot for 12-inch, and 92 cents to $1.06 per foot 
for 15-inch, the smaller prices being conditioned on the pur¬ 
chase of large quantities. 

The original bill of some 12-inch cement pipe bought in this 
city for the purpose of making tests, gave the price as 60 cents 
per foot net, but a new bill at 50 cents per foot net was after¬ 
wards sent in. 

In the purchase of Scotch and American vitrified pipes, we 
have dealt with seven different parties—four in NewYork, two 
iu Boston and one in New Haven. 

Of the total length of sewers constructed during the last four 
years, sixty-six per cent, is of the Scotch and American vitri¬ 
fied pipes, sixty-two per cent, being Scotch: the remaining 
thirty-four per cent, is of brick. Included in the total amount 
laid are the catch-basin connections, which somewhat increase 
the proportion of pipe to brick sewers. 





WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


33 



Tenth.—As to “ the depths and sizes of our sewers , as com - 
pared with the larger cities of this country 

Until recently the standard depth for onr sewers,—meas¬ 
ured to the inside crown of the arch,—has been eight and a 
half feet below the level of the curbstone. This depth was 
adopted in concession to popular prejudice on the subject, but 
recent experience in this city, and further information as to the 
experience of other cities, have induced the commissioners to 
change the standard depth to ten feet, which is believed to be 
none too great for the most efficient and economical results. In 
some parts of the city it is impossible to obtain this depth,—nor, 
in cases, even half of it,—on account of the height of the tide, 
it being in no instance allowed to construct the sewer so as to 
be continually under water, nor can this standard depth be 
uniformly adhered to in other parts of the city, as a proper 
grade, or fall, must be maintained, however irregular the sur¬ 
face of the ground: and in streets like Congdon and Benefit, 
the depth should be such as to admit of a proper fall for house 
drains from estates on the lower side of the street, that on ac¬ 
count of their location, can have no other means of drainage. 
In Congdon and Benefit streets the sewers are sixteen feet 
deep, but there are cellars now built on both those streets that 
are too deep to be drained into the new sewers. A less depth 
thati the standard adopted, while it would answer for surface 
drainage, would generally render the work of little value for 
house sewerage or for that very important service of lowering 
the stagnant water about the foundations of buildings. 

In New York, the general grade of street sewers is thirteen 
feet below the level of the curb. 

In Brooklyn, the present practice is to lay the brick sewer 
invert thirteen feet and the pipe sewer invert twelve feet below 
grade of street. 

(The measurements for depth are generally given to the 
invert.) 

In Boston, the ruling depth for suburban sewers is about 
nine feet, and for business purposes twelve feet, or ten feet 
clear, to the highest water line in the sewer. 


5 





34 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118 


In Jersey city it is the rule, where possible, to arrange the 
water run of sewers twelve feet below curb grade. 

In Newark, N. J., the sewers generally are about thirteen 
feet below the street grades, that depth being considered suffi¬ 
cient for ordinary cellars. Some of the sewers are much deeper, 
and many, on lotv ground , are of less depth. 

In Philadelphia, the depths of the sewers are such that the 
bottom of the house-connection pipe must enter the sewer, 
(usually at the springing line of the arch), at a depth of eight 
and one-half feet below curb level, which would bring the bot¬ 
tom of a three feet circular sewer ten feet below the curb level 

In Cleveland, the minimum depth of main sewers is twenty 
feet, which, on account of the very uneven topography of that 
city, necessarily carries some portions of the sewer much deep¬ 
er; and for branch sewers, twelve feet is the minimum depth 

unless it be in exceptional cases. 

# 

In Cincinnati, the general depth of brick or main sewers is 
fifteen feet, and of pipe or lateral sewers, thirteen feet. 

In Chicago, twelve feet to the bottom of the sewer, and 
sometimes more, is considered very desirable, but they are often 
compelled to make nine feet, and even less, answer, in low 
streets. 

In St. Louis, on account of the topography of the city, the 
trunk sewers vary from ten to sixty feet in depth. r l he itain 
sewers or channels of drainage, into which the lateral sewers 
discharge, are generally sixteen feet deep ; and the district or 
lateral sewers about twelve feet. Greater depths are now de¬ 
manded than in former years. 

Information in regard to the depth of sewers in other coun¬ 
tries, is contained in the report on sewerage made to the board 
ol aldermen in February of this year. 

The proportion of our small sewers (twelve and fifteen 
inches in diameter) to the total length of all sizes constructed, 
is sixty-three per cent. 

In Brooklyn, these sizes amount to seventy and one-half per 
cent., of which, according' to the latest reports by which a com¬ 
parison can now be made, something less than one half are of 
cement pipes. 



WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


35 


The later New York sewer reports fail to give total con¬ 
struction by sizes. Previous to 1865 pipe sewers were not laid 
in that city, and of course the proportion of large sewers was 
considerable. By the report for 1865 it appears that of the 
length of sewers planned for eight drainage districts, eighty- 
three per cent, was to be of twelve to eighteen inch vitrified 
stoneware pipe. In the five years ending with 1872, sixty- 
seven per cent, of the total length of sewers built in New York 
was of pipe. The former per centage, it will be seen, (and 
probably the latter) include eighteen inch pipe, which, in Prov¬ 
idence, amounts to only a fraction over one per cent, of the to¬ 
tal length laid. 

Late Boston reports do not give summaries of all sewers 
laid; but of total length constructed during the years 1872 
and 1878, the proportion of twelve and fifteen inch was forty- 
eight and two thirds per cent. 

In Chicago, the proportionate length of twelve and fifteen- 
inch sewers, is thirty-three and two-thuds pei cent; but on 
account of the flatness of the territory, and the necessarily 
slight grades of the sewers, much larger sectional areas are re¬ 
quired than in a city like Providence, where the grades are 
steeper, and smaller pipes have the same capacity, and will do 
equally -efficient service as larger ones in the former locality. 

In Worcester, the proportionate length of sewers, fifteen 
inches and smaller, including 2,238 feet of nine inch, is forty- 
nine and one third per cent.' 

Eleventh:_As to “the depths of our sewer outlets, with refer¬ 

ence to the tides ; and the cases of damage, if any, resulting from 
the overflow of tide water from the sewers into the basements of 

buildings ; and, if any, the cause of such damage , and the proper 
remedy therefor 

With two exceptions the bottoms of these outlets are one 
foot or more above low tide, and are therefore entirely emptied 

of tide water twice in twenty-four hours. 

The exceptional cases are those of Dorrance street, where 
the large size of the sewer and the flat grade of the street made 



36 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


it necessary to put the bottom of the outlet only six inches 
above low tide ; and the intercepting sewer which is a little less 
than a foot above. The larger outlets are never entirely sub¬ 
merged by ordinary high tides. 

We are not aware that the tide will rise any higher, with 
reference to cellars, in deep sewers than in shallow ones. 

Only one case of injury resulting from the overflow of tide 
water from a sewer into the basement of a building has come 
to our knowledge. In that case, we are informed that an oc¬ 
cupant of the premises propped open a tide valve with a stick, 
designing to let the water out faster, and left the valve so for 
the tide to flow through into the cellar on its next rise. The 
proper remedy for such injury is to leave sticks out of the 
valves. 

No claims for damages can lie against the city on account of 
injury by reason of private sewer connections, as each owner 
of an estate connecting with a sewer is required to sign an ap¬ 
plication before a permit to connect is issued, containing the 
following clause: 

“And the undersigned further agrees that no claim for damages which 
may he occasioned to such estate, or any property thereon, in any manner, 
by the construction, use or existence of such drain or connection, shall be 
made against the city.” 

Twelfth :—As to “ the amount of deposit in the sewers etc. 

From November 17th, 1873, (when the present superin¬ 
tendent of cleaning began service,) to September 30th, 1874, 
7,400 feet of the 57,875 feet of the new sewers under his charge 
required cleaning; and the amount of deposit taken out was 
4,518 cubic feet, or less than eight per cent, of a cubic foot per- 
running foot of the total length of sewers In nearly every case, 
those portions of the sewers below high water mark are, and 
have been from the first, kept entirely clean by the action of 
the tides. 

During the same time, 2725 feet of the 37,500 feet of the 
old drains required cleaning, and the amount of deposit taken 
out was 8,081 cubic feet, or about twenty-one and a half per 
cent, of a cubic foot per running foot of the total length of 




WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 


37 


drains. Those portions of the old drains requiring to be cleaned, 
were in most-cases full or nearly so. A general cleaning of 
old sewers had previously been made. 

It will be seen that the proportion of deposit in the new 
sewers to that in the old drains was, per foot, as 8 to 21. 

A large proportion of the cleaning of the new sewers has 
been made necessary by deposits left in them during their con¬ 
struction ; or during or immediately after the construction of 
sewers discharging into them. This was entirely the case in 
North Main street, where eighteen days and four hours labor 
were spent on the upper end of the sewer this season, which is 
the longest time that has been given to any one sewer. Earth 
is sometimes carried into the sewers during the construction 
of private drains. 

The new sewers receive their surface drainage through catch- 
basins at the sides of the streets, by means of which catch-basins 
as much as possible of solid matter is kept out of the sewers. 
In the case of the old drains, there are some small catch-basins, 
but generally there are only chutes of no retaining capacity. 
In the old drains, however, there are large chambers where a 
portion of the deposits, which have passed through the catches 
or chutes, settles. 

The deposits taken from the catch-basins of the new sewers, 
amount to 48,091 cubic feet. 

The deposits taken from the sand-catchers of the old drains, 
amount to 4,471 cubic feet, and from the chambers of the old 
drains, 21,269 cubic feet have been taken, a portion of which 
would, but for them, have remained as deposit in the sewers, 
and the balance been discharged into the harbor. 

Thirteenth ;—As to “ the method employed for cleaning the 
sewer s,” etc. 

The method mainly relied upon for cleaning the sewers, is 
flushing with water from the hydrants. The rush of water 
carries the accumulations along to the manholes, where they 
are stopped by temporary dams and taken out. Sewers of 
sufficient size for laborers to enter are either flushed or cleaned 



38 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 


by the use of a shovel adapted to the purpose. In five streets 
where sand had been washed into the sewers from new sewer 
trenches, or on account of extraordinary circumstances, an ap¬ 
paratus designed to be dragged through the sewers, has been 
used to gather the material. The total length of time during 
which this was employed on the five streets was about fourteen 
days. This apparatus has not been used on North Main street 
for more than a year. The sewers rarely need cleaning, except 
where earth has been washed in from other new work. 

* 

Fourteenth : As to “ the condition and capacity of the stone 
sewers taken up , their total length , with the sizes and kinds of 
sewers substituted therefor 

This question seems to imply a right of discretion on the 
part of the Commissioners, as to whether or not to take up 
old. stone drains. The Commissioners never had such right, 
but have been positively directed in each case by the Board 
of Aldermen, or by the City Council, to construct new sewers 
where the old ones existed. The order itself indicates dissat¬ 
isfaction with the old stone drains, and the Commissioners, in 
putting in new sewers, have built such as they believed the lo¬ 
cality demanded, quite independent of the size or depth of 
the old drains. When the construction of sewers under the 
present system was begun, the work was ordered by the Board 
of Aldermen, and for more than two years it was the practice 
to submit plans to the Board, giving sizes and locations of the 
proposed sewers, before the work was ordered by the Board. 
The system was thus established and endorsed by the city 
government, and at the time when the mode of ordering sew¬ 
ers was changed, an elaborate report upon the sewerage sys¬ 
tem was, by order of the Board of Aldermen, published and 
distributed to members of the government and to citizens 
general^. The Commissioners have never received any inti¬ 
mation, from either branch of the city government, that the 
plans are not fully approved, and after such long and public 
notice of their character, it seems proper to conclude that the 
system is endorsed in every particular by the City Council. 






WATER WORKS AND SEWERS. 39 


The following table gives the comparison called for as far 
as practicable: 


OLD DRAINS TAKEN UP OR SUPERSEDED. 


STREETS. 

SIZES. 

LENGTHS. 

CONDITION. 

SIZES SUBSTITUTED. 

Angell. 

2'6"xl’8" 

200 ft. 

Fair. 

12-inch pipe, 

22" circular brick. 

Thayer. 

20"x 30" brick 

GO 

Good. 

Star. 

15" pipe. 

440 

Good. 

22" circular brick. 

2 fix 1'8 

315 

Fair. 

15-inch pipe. 

Pearl. 

3'8"x3'4" 

2,211 

Good. 

505 ft. of 38"x 57" brick. 
1,198 ft. of 36"x 54" brick. 
508 ft. of 24"x 36" brick. 

Washington ... 

3'6"x 3'0" 

400 

Fair. 

22" circular brick. 

Dorrance. 

4'0"x 3'G" 

1,120 

Good. 

66" circular brick. 

Westminster... 

4'0"x 3'fi” 

1,978 

Good. 

659 ft. of 22" brick. 

434 ft. of 18" pipe. 

307 ft. of 15" pipe. 

578 ft. of 12" pipe. 

Fountain. 

4'6"x 4'0" 

25 

Good. 

12" pipe. 

Brook. 

4'0"x 4'0" 

1,680 

Fair. 

380 ft. of 32'x 48" brick. 
1,300 ft. of 28" x42" brick. 

Wickenden.... 

4 0'x 4'O’ 

160 

Fair. 

20" circular brick. 

Ship. 

2fi"x 1'3" 

440 

Fair. 

12" pipe. 


A part of the old drain in Pearl street, (six hundred feet,) was 
left in the ground, but is no longer used. 

The new brick sewers, not specified as circular, are egg- 
shaped. 

The old sewer in Thayer street was ordered to be taken up, 
because of its insufficient depth, and the new one was laid six 
to seven feet deeper. 

The old drain in Westminster street contained six inches to 
three feet in depth of very offensive matter. Those in Wash¬ 
ington, Pearl, Dorrance and Wickenden streets, contained 
some mud, and the one in Ship street about three inches of 
sand. 

The capacity of stone sewers, as compared with pipe or brick, 
cannot be given by sizes; the rate of fall and the smoothness 
of the conduit enter very largely into the question. 

E xperiments have proved that with the same size and fall, a 
rough conduit, (smooth, however, as compared with a stone 
drain) requires twice the head or force to discharge a given 
quantity of water that is required by a smooth one. 






























40 


CITY DOCUMENT. 


No. 118. 




Fifteenth:—As to 44 whether any sewers have been constructed 
which were not ordered by the City Council ,” etc. 

There has been no case of the construction of a sewer where 
one was not ordered by the proper branch or branches of the 
city government. 

It has been the practice from the beginning of the work on 
sewers by this commission, whether acting as Commissioners or 
as a committee of the Board of Aldermen, to run spurs from the 
main line under construction to the lateral streets, so that when 
sewers shall be laid in those streets, the work can be connected 
without disturbing the street in which the main is laid. Such 
spurs were always represented in finished plans furnished to 
the Board of Aldermen. 

Sixteenth:—As to 44 the kind of pipe which parties connecting 
with servers are required to use.” 

There has as yet, been no restriction upon the kind of pipes 
used by such parties, except that it shall be reasonably free 
from liability to destruction, where it would injure the public 
sewers, and especially where it is located within the public 
highway. Parties have selected such pipe answering this re¬ 
quirement as they chose, usually that of American manufac¬ 
ture, and we are not aware that any Scotch pipe has been 
used for the purpose in the city. 

Question by Alderman Clarke : —“ What motives influenced 
the Water Commissioners to place a Cornish engineat Petta- 
conset, instead of a Worthington?” 

Answer: —In the quarterly report of the commissioners, 
April 1,1871, in speaking of the Worthington engine, they say : 
44 The height of suction made necessary by our plans in order 
to be secure from injury by freshets in the Pawtuxet, (at least 
12 feet,) added to the depth of the natural filter basin, pre¬ 
cludes its permanent use at Pettaconset, even if there was no 
doubt otherwise of its superiority to the Cornish.” 



CITY DOCUMENT. 


41 


The Commissioners now add that the much larger duty which 
they believe that the Cornish engine, constructed in accordance 
with their plans, will perform, will result in great economy in 
use, at any rate when the demand for water shall be fairly pro¬ 
portioned to its capacity. 


Joseph J. Cooke, 
Chas. E. Carpenter, 
William Corliss, 


Board of Water 
Commissioners. 









LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


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